Rugged Terrain Complex wildfires burning deep in the duff layer

Leave a comment

Contact: Kerry Heckman, 517-643-1256 or Beth Fults, 517-282-5985

Orange flames from the Black River Fire cut across the landscape and thick, gray smoke billows into the sky. 

Flames and thick, gray smoke from the Black River Fire fill the landscape Saturday.

Like most things, wildfires don’t always look like they do in the movies. Even at hundreds of acres each (just over 1,400 acres combined), the three fires that make up the Rugged Terrain Complex aren’t currently burning through the trees of the Upper Peninsula forests. They are burning up to 2 feet down in the duff, a layer of organic material lying under freshly fallen leaves and twigs and above the bare mineral soil.

“Even with the accumulation of rain over the past couple of days, it won’t make up for the several months there has been a moisture deficit and severe drought in the U.P.,” said Nate Stearns, Rugged Terrain Complex incident commander with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Drought conditions in the U.P. range from severe to exceptional. We were hitting levels that we haven’t seen in 20 or 30 years, and they made conditions perfect for wildfires.”

The rain alone will not extinguish fires that are burning so deep in the duff layer. DNR firefighters are using leaf blowers, hand tools, water pumps and larger equipment such as tractor plows and dozers in their suppression efforts. The priority is to establish containment lines that are scraped down to the bare mineral soil to prevent the fire from spreading.

a map with red-circle locations of the three Rugged Terrain Complex fires across Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Ridge Fire

The Ridge Fire is now estimated to be 466 acres and 40% contained. Read more

Wildlife

Three UP wildfires now managed as Rugged Terrain Complex

Leave a comment

Oct. 16, 2026
Contact: Kerry Heckman, 517-643-1256 or Patrick Ertel, 989-370-1163

Fire crews spent Friday focusing on rehabbing equipment and patrolling

Scene from the Ridge Fire in the Upper Peninsula October 2026

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is now managing the three major U.P. wildfires – Ridge Fire, Craig Lake Fire and Black River Fire – as the Rugged Terrain Complex. One incident management team managing all three fires, known as a “complex,” allows for better coordination, logistical support, more streamlined communication and better efficiency.

Safety of the public and firefighters is the top priority for the Rugged Terrain Complex. Due to the significant hazards posed by falling trees and the sustained high winds within the area of all three fires on the Complex, fire crews spent Friday focusing on rehabbing equipment and patrolling. With a substantial amount of rain being received across the entire Rugged Lake Complex, fire behavior remained low with no fire spread anticipated.

Ridge Fire

The Ridge Fire is now estimated to be 466 acres and 40% contained. The Ridge Fire is located 10 miles northwest of Marquette and north of the Dead River Basin and west of County Road 510. The Ridge Fire was spotted by a DNR pilot Oct. 9; the cause of that fire remains under investigation.

The status of the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol for residents along North Basin Drive remains at a “Ready” status. Residents are encouraged to continue to be prepared in case conditions change. The Noquemanon Trail system west of the trailhead on County Road 510 remains closed.

A scene from the Ridge Fire in the UP October 2026

Craig Lake Fire

The Craig Lake Fire, which is located at the north end of Craig Lake State Park and does encompass some of the northern reaches of the park, is now estimated at 606 acres and is 70% contained. The fire, caused by a lightning strike, was detected by a DNR pilot Oct. 8. Read more
Wildlife

Wilson Combat Introduces Match Grade Barrels for Remington 700 Pattern Actions

Leave a comment

Wilson Combat is proud to introduce a new line of match grade replacement barrels for Remington 700 pattern actions, bringing the accuracy of a Wilson Combat rifle barrel to the bolt-action rifles hunters and shooters already own.

Each barrel is precision button rifled by Wilson Combat’s skilled barrelmakers from honed 416R stainless steel blanks, the proven standard for precision rifle barrels. The 416R is stress relieved at the mill, then each blank is stress relieved again after rifling, so every barrel is double stress relieved.

Every barrel follows the standard Remington factory contour from the shank forward, so it fits the stock or chassis the rifle already wears. It also fits high-performance synthetic replacement stocks with the factory contour and high-grade walnut custom stock blanks, with no inletting required.

Every barrel is finished the Wilson Combat way. The chamber is precisely cut and ready for final headspacing. The muzzle is threaded 5/8×24 TPI for a brake, flash hider or suppressor, and finished with a precision recess crown. The exterior is polished to a clean, satin finish, or it can be ordered in Armor-Tuff® for a durable, low-glare finish ideal for hard field use. The flared muzzle is engraved with the caliber, twist rate and the Wilson Combat eagle.

At launch, the barrels are offered in .308 Winchester with a 1:10 twist in a 20″ length, and in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 1:8 twist in 20″ and 22″ lengths. .25 Creedmoor and .22 Creedmoor are coming soon. Each barrel has an MSRP of $399.95. Gunsmith installation is required.

Specifications: Read more

Firearms

SCI Is Fighting Back, and Winning for Hunters

Leave a comment

From restoring Florida’s black bear hunt to advancing pro-hunting legislation and challenging restrictive laws in court, Safari Club International is taking the fight for hunting freedom to the front lines.

San Antonio, TX – Safari Club International (SCI) is pushing back against anti-hunting agendas at every level of government, challenging restrictive policies and defending hunters in the halls of power and the courtroom. SCI’s First Quarter FY2026 Hunter Advocacy Report showcases an organization actively shaping policy, challenging restrictions and delivering results for hunters across the country and around the world.

In just three months, SCI helped bring back Florida’s black bear hunt for the first time in a decade, advanced two priority hunting bills through the House Natural Resources Committee, and secured a court victory protecting hunters’ personal information. SCI also joined partners in challenging New Jersey’s suppressor ban and continued fighting for science-based wildlife management, public land access and responsible predator management.

The fight extends well beyond U.S. borders. SCI strengthened international conservation partnerships, engaged government leaders on sustainable hunting, and worked to defend hunters, guides and outfitters against policies threatening hunting traditions and opportunities worldwide. Read more

Hunting

Trijicon Expands AccuPoint 1-8×24 with New Standard Green Duplex Reticle

Leave a comment

Trijicon®, a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative aiming solutions, expands its AccuPoint® 1-8×24 riflescope with a new Standard Green Duplex reticle, combining a familiar, uncluttered sight picture with Trijicon’s brilliant, battery-free illumination.

Designed for hunters and shooters who prefer a traditional duplex reticle, the new configuration provides a highly visible green aiming point across a wide range of lighting conditions. The versatile 1-8x magnification range offers a wide field of view for close-range encounters and the precision needed as distance increases. Read more

Optics

Regulation Changes for Spawning Closure, Northern Pike Now in Effect

Leave a comment

Adjusting daily possession limits to allow for harvesting smaller fish in select lakes and removing an unnecessary spawning closure are part of updated northern pike regulations now in effect following Michigan Natural Resources Commission action earlier this week.

During its Oct. 14 meeting, the NRC enacted regulation changes to Fisheries Orders 204 and 206, effective Oct. 15, 2026. These changes are expected to boost fishing opportunities. The NRC – a public body whose members are appointed by the governor – has the exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game and sportfish in Michigan.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources fisheries managers use fish survey data to determine which regulations should apply to a waterbody and recommend changes to the NRC when necessary to benefit the resource and angling community. Here are additional details about each of these fisheries order updates:

Fisheries Order 204

Otsego Lake pike marsh (Otsego County), which was previously closed to fishing from March 16 – June 15 to protect fish during spawning migrations, is now open year-round. Spawning closures prohibit all fishing activity on specific waters to protect fish during spawning migrations. The pike marsh has not been operational since the early 2000s, and so a spawning closure is no longer necessary. Ending this unnecessary closure increases angler opportunities and simplifies regulations.

Fisheries Order 206

Au Sable Lake (Ogemaw County), Clear Lake (Mecosta County), Gibson Lake (Iron County) and Hanbury Lake (Dickinson County) are now on the list of waters with a daily possession limit of up to five northern pike, with only one of these fish 24 inches or greater allowed. Data from these waters indicate a slow-growing northern pike population, meaning fewer larger fish are present. Allowing anglers to harvest smaller pike increases angler opportunities, and both anglers and law enforcement officials supported this change.

Please note that these regulation changes are not reflected in the printed version of the 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations. Anglers are reminded to check the digital version of the regulations online at Michigan.gov/DNRRegs or in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app for the most current regulatory information.

Fishing

FPC to D.C. Circuit: Gun Owners Shouldn’t Have to Risk Prison to Challenge Gun Bans

Leave a comment

FPC files appeal brief and seeks full-court review to overturn second-class legal standard blocking challenges to D.C.’s ban on common firearm magazines.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced today that it filed an opening brief and a petition for initial hearing en banc in its Wehr-Darroca v. District of Columbia appeal, asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to overturn decades-old precedent that treats Second Amendment challenges differently from other constitutional cases and keeps peaceable gun owners out of court.

At issue is Washington, D.C.’s ban on firearm magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition. Violating the ban is a felony punishable by up to three years in prison and a $12,500 fine, with a conviction potentially triggering a federal lifetime ban on possessing firearms. FPC and two of its members, William Wehr-Darroca and Gary Stemple, challenged the law because it prohibits them from possessing the standard magazines that came with their handguns. To avoid prosecution, the members were forced to leave those magazines outside the District and purchase restricted-capacity replacements.

But rather than hear their constitutional challenge, the federal district court dismissed the case under D.C. Circuit precedent requiring a heightened showing of a specific threat of prosecution. Under that rule, law-abiding gun owners who want to exercise their rights but refuse to risk criminal prosecution can be denied the opportunity to challenge the very laws threatening them.

“D.C. threatens peaceable gun owners with felony prosecution and years in prison for possessing standard firearm magazines, then hides behind a court-created rule to deny them their day in court,” said FPC President Brandon Combs. “That is a disgraceful constitutional Catch-22. The government does not get to tell Americans they must either surrender their rights or risk prison just to challenge an unconstitutional law. The Second Amendment is not a second-class right, and gun owners are not second-class citizens. We’re demanding that the D.C. Circuit end this absurd exception, open the courthouse doors, and let us fight D.C.’s immoral magazine ban on the merits. FPC and our Grassroots Army will Fight Forward until these unconstitutional bans are eliminated everywhere.” Read more

Gun Control

Trijicon Introduces New Credo 1-10×28 and RCR Combo

Leave a comment

Trijicon®, a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative aiming solutions, announces the new Credo® 1-10×28 and RCR® Combo, bringing together two proven Trijicon optics with the Q-LOC™ mounting system for close-range speed and precision at distance.

At the heart of the system is the Credo® 1-10×28, engineered to perform at both CQB distances and extended ranges. Its first focal plane dual red/green illuminated Segmented Circle Enhanced Reticle provides a fast-aiming reference at lower magnification and a fine illuminated cross dot for precise shots at distance. Subtle wind holds enhance precision at distance, while the reticle draws from the proven design used in the U.S. Marine Corps Squad Common Optic (SCO) variant of the Trijicon VCOG®.

Complementing the Credo is the Trijicon RCR®, a ruggedized closed-emitter red dot engineered for extreme durability and reliable performance in the most demanding environments. Its 7075-T6 aluminum housing protects the emitter from environmental elements and debris, while the crisp 3.25 MOA red dot provides fast, precise target acquisition.

Bringing the package together is Trijicon Q-LOC™ Technology, providing secure rail engagement, return-to-zero performance and tool-free operation. Q-LOC accessory ring caps and adapter plates integrate the RCR with the riflescope mounting system for a streamlined, versatile setup. Read more

Optics

Trophy Scan Relaunches With an All-New Mobile Experience for Hunters

Leave a comment

BUCHANAN DAM, Texas — Trophy Scan is back with a completely redesigned mobile experience that gives hunters a faster, easier way to scan, score and do more with their trophies — all from their phone.

Originally developed as technology to digitally scan and score antlers, Trophy Scan has evolved into a complete mobile platform built around four simple steps: Scan. Score. Certify. Compete.

Using the newly relaunched Trophy Scan app, hunters can create a detailed 3D scan of any whitetail deer, by simply following the guided scanning process on their phone. Once the scan is complete, Trophy Scan generates an estimated field score in minutes — no complicated measuring process or special equipment required. Read more

Hunting

ZeroTech Optics USA Introduces Trace X 5-25×56 FFP – RMG 3 Illuminated Riflescope

Leave a comment

A 30-mil vertical holdover scale, 34 MRAD of elevation travel and first focal plane placement support holding or dialing corrections.

ZeroTech Optics USA introduces the Trace X 5-25×56 FFP – RMG 3 Illuminated, a precision riflescope that combines an illuminated MIL grid with a full MRAD turret system. Its RMG 3reticle includes a vertical scale extending to 30 mil, while the scope provides 34 MRAD of internal elevation travel, 0.1 MRAD adjustments and a zero stop for competition, long-range shooting and hunting.

The grid is the defining feature of this configuration. Horizontal and vertical references support windage and elevation holds, giving shooters an alternative to making every correction on the dial. The 30-mil vertical scale provides an extensive set of holdover references within the design, while illumination helps the central aiming elements remain distinct against dark ground, shadow and other low-contrast backgrounds.

Positioned in the first focal plane, the RMG 3 grid preserves its MIL subtensions as magnification changes from 5x to 25x. Its apparent size changes with the image, but the stated angular values remain consistent. That allows the shooter to choose magnification for the situation without recalibrating the grid’s measurements or moving to one specified power to use a hold reference.

For shooters who prefer to dial, the turret system provides 34 MRAD of internal elevation adjustment and 17 MRAD of windage in 0.1 MRAD increments. Read more

Optics
1 2 3 … 2,097